‍CZ's Google Account Targeted by Suspected State-Backed Hackers Binance co-founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao reported that his Google account was targeted by "government-backed attackers," raising concerns about state-sponsored threats. The Lazarus Group, linked to North Korea, is a primary suspect. This incident follows CZ's earlier warnings about these groups posing as job candidates to infiltrate crypto firms. US intelligence indicates Lazarus Group uses sophisticated networks of agents to funnel funds to Pyongyang. Coinbase and other firms have also faced data breaches and theft from North Korean operatives. Experts urge enhanced security measures, including dual wallet management and employee education, to combat these evolving threats.
‍Bitcoin's Healthy Reset: Support Levels and Futures Market Correction Bitcoin (BTC) is experiencing a pullback from its all-time highs, with analysts suggesting a potential revisit to the $118,000-$120,000 range. This is viewed as a "healthy reset," clearing overleveraged positions and potentially paving the way for renewed upward momentum. Data shows a $4.1 billion drop in Bitcoin futures open interest, indicating the liquidation of speculative positions. This reduction is crucial for market stability, helping to temper euphoria and reduce volatility, thus strengthening the foundation for Bitcoin's next ascent.
‍Deutsche Bank: Gold's Resurgence May Pave Way for Bitcoin as Central Bank Reserve Global central banks are significantly increasing gold reserves, reaching 24%—the highest since the 1990s. Deutsche Bank strategists note this mirrors Bitcoin's performance trajectory. Despite historical volatility, Bitcoin's has now fallen to historic lows. Deutsche Bank's macro strategist Marion Laboure predicts both gold and Bitcoin may feature on central bank balance sheets by 2030, citing their shared potential as "safe-haven" assets.
‍Web3 AI Moderation Enhances Creator Safety and Engagement The creator economy faces significant challenges in live streaming moderation, where traditional tools are reactive and can penalize streamers for audience behavior. Streamiverse introduces an AI-driven Web3 solution that proactively scans donation messages before they appear on screen. This adaptive AI masks problematic terms while preserving interaction, offering contextual understanding to differentiate intent and adapt to evolving language. Creators retain full control with customizable settings, ensuring compliance and fostering a safer digital frontier.
‍South Africa Embraces Crypto: Pay with Digital Assets at 650,000 Stores A new partnership between Scan to Pay and MoneyBadger enables crypto payments at over 650,000 merchants nationwide. Users can now spend Bitcoin, stablecoins, and other cryptocurrencies directly, with merchants receiving settlements in South African Rand (ZAR). This integration simplifies transactions by eliminating the need for users to convert crypto to fiat before purchase. Merchants can accept payments seamlessly through Scan to Pay's existing network without managing crypto assets. "South Africans are increasingly moving from holding Bitcoin as an investment to using it for everyday spending," stated Carel van Wyk, CEO of MoneyBadger, highlighting a new era of crypto utility.
‍Billion-Dollar Whale Bets Heavily on Crypto Downturn A prominent investor, reportedly holding $11 billion in Bitcoin, has opened nearly $900 million in short positions on BTC and ETH. This signals a potential market correction, contrasting with typical October optimism. The whale initiated a $600 million 8x leveraged Bitcoin short and a $330 million 12x leveraged Ether short. Blockchain data indicates the ETH position is already profitable. Historically, such moves by large holders can influence market dynamics. However, recent Bitcoin selling pressure has largely come from smaller wallet holders (shrimps, crabs, and fish) rather than whales.
‍Bitget Launches Phase 4 of Early Hunter Airdrop Bitget, a Universal Exchange (UEX), has initiated Phase 4 of its Early Hunter Airdrop program. This initiative rewards users for early engagement with high-potential digital assets. Traders who interacted with 币安人生 (BinanceLife) before 18:30 (UTC+8) and PALU before 12:30 (UTC+8) on October 7, 2025, are eligible for rewards, which will be credited within three days of the announcement. The program expands beyond spot trading to include onchain trading, reflecting Bitget's innovation and commitment to early access and rewards.
‍HashKey Pursues Major Hong Kong IPO, Aiming for $500 Million Raise HashKey Group, the operator of Hong Kong's leading licensed cryptocurrency exchange, is reportedly preparing for a significant Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the city, potentially raising up to $500 million this year. This move highlights Hong Kong's growing role as a regulated crypto hub. The exchange, with a daily trading volume of nearly $117 million, has also faced challenges with fraudulent websites impersonating the brand. HashKey has consistently denied any connection to these platforms. HashKey's IPO plans align with Hong Kong's efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework for digital assets, including new custody rules and warnings regarding stablecoin risks. The company has also launched a $500 million Digital Asset Treasury fund and received approval for Ether (ETH) staking services, contributing to its valuation exceeding $1 billion.
‍UK Crypto Industry Criticizes Proposed Stablecoin Caps The UK crypto sector has expressed dissatisfaction with the Bank of England's proposed stablecoin holding limits, including a £10 million cap for businesses and £10,000-£20,000 for individuals. While exemptions for large businesses are being considered, industry leaders argue the framework is impractical and could stifle innovation. Key concerns include enforcement challenges due to decentralized wallets, privacy issues, and a potential disadvantage for the UK in global stablecoin development.
‍Whale.io Launches Battlepass Season 3 with $77,000 in Rewards Whale.io introduces the first-ever purchasable Battlepass for an online casino, offering players $77,000 in bonuses, cashbacks, and exclusive perks for $1.99 or 4,999 $WHALE tokens. The 90-day progression system features 11 ranks and 101 levels, where wagers unlock rewards in real-time. Benefits include wager-free spins, crypto bonuses up to $5,000, and a scaling cashback system up to 22%. Top players can receive merchandise, $WHALE token airdrops, and access to 99% RTP games. The Battlepass also integrates with the $WHALE Token Generation Event.